William Judson Bailey

William Judson "Bill" Bailey, born May 27, 1950, in Ravenna, Ohio, passed away on March 5, 2026, in Roanoke, Virginia, after courageously battling pancreatic cancer over the last several months.

Bill was a rock to all those who knew him and one of the most loyal, thoughtful, supportive, intelligent, and playful people you will ever meet. He was truly loved by all who knew him, and he loved them back tenfold. He was a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in 1968 and Roanoke College in 1972, where he was salutatorian. He retired from the City of Roanoke Department of Social Services after 38 years of service, including serving the last 14 years as Supervisor of Adoptions and Court Services, where he was instrumental in substantially increasing the rate of successfully completed adoptions in the Valley. He loved music (any classic artist you can think of, he saw them in concert at some point in his life, dating back 50–60 years, and often multiple times). He loved baseball (a lifelong Yankees fan), UVa sports, traveling, going to the beach, watching movies, and good TV shows. He was an avid reader and history buff who also loved taking walks on the greenway. But most of all, he loved spending time with his family and friends and cherished nothing more than being among them.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Jane A. Bailey; his parents, Judson Vowell Bailey and Hope Schreck Key; his stepparents, Palmer Key and Marion Bailey; his grandson, Presten Bailey; and his sister-in-law, Bronwyn "Bonnie" Catlett Bishop.

Bill is survived by his three sons and their wives, Yano Antero-Catlett and Gabriela Hurtado of Norfolk, VA, Jeremy and Angela Bailey of Roanoke, VA, and Christopher and Tabitha Bailey of Roanoke, VA; ten grandchildren: Alex Bailey, Adam Richardson, Haley Richardson, Leigh Richardson, Illari Antero-Hurtado, Wyatte Bailey, Grace Richardson, Xaul Antero-Hurtado, Jasper Bailey, and Finn Bailey; one great-grandson, Hudson Huffman; his sister, Linda Coulson, and brother-in-law, Peter Coulson, of Rockville, VA; his nephews, Jason Davis and Justin Caldwell; and his niece, Erica Mann. Bill held many long-lasting friendships, including Donita Peverall, Jerry Miller, Tom Hall, Mike Kennedy, David Linkenhoker, Keith McDaniel, and many others.

Visitation and celebration of his life will be held at Valley Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 10, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., followed by a meal for family and friends at Lamplight Baptist Church Fellowship Hall at 6:30 p.m. Interment will take place later at Evergreen Cemetery in Roanoke. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Roanoke Rescue Mission and Feeding Southwest Virginia.

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